Cascade CO2 lasers with electric discharge excitation

The results are given of detailed calculations relating to continuous-flow CO₂ lasers with electric discharge excitation, utilizing cascade transitions in the pulse-periodic regime. An analysis is made of systems with preliminary pumping of the active medium by a discharge and excitation of the gas by a continuous discharge occurring directly in the resonator. The likely energy parameters of such lasers are calculated and the optimal conditions for their operation are determined. Consideration is given to experiments designed to determine the probabilities of relaxation of the vibrational levels of paired CO₂ modes.